Duke Blue Devils 2014 Football Schedule, Prediction

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Duke Blue Devils 2014 Football Schedule, Prediction

The Duke Blue Devils came out of nowhere last year to win the coastal division of the Atlantic Coast Conference, but then took it on the chin with a 38 point loss to the Seminoles in the ACC title game Duke does have 14 starters back from that team, but im not sure they will have the same success as they did a year ago. Prediction & schedule below

Offensively, the Blue Devils averaged a solid 32.8 ppg last year, but still the play was very erratic from QB Anthony Boone, who had 13 TDs and 13 INTs on the year. He is back this year and has the luxury of returning WR Jamison Crowder, who smashed the Duke record books last year, catching 108 passes for 1360 yards and 8 TDs. Over all this is a deep WR corps as 5 of the top 6 pass catchers all return from last year. The running game was very good last year but just 1 of their top 3 backs return, so they should dip from the 170 ypg they averaged on the ground last year. The OL has 3 starters back, including OG Laken Tomlinson, who is on the first team All-ACC list. The defense was not all that good last year, allowing 26.6 ppg on the year. The secondary for this team was solid last year, and returns 2 of 4 starters to that group this year, but it is the LB corps led, by Kelby Brown and David Helton, who combined for 247 tacks and 13 TFL last year, that is clearly the strength of this defense. The DL will be the weak link here, with just 1 starter back and not much depth. Special teams is a strength of this team and is rated 2nd best in the ACC and 3rd best in the nation by Mr. Steele.

The Blue Devils had a very nice season a year ago, but still the defense wasn’t all that great and the QB play was erratic at best. They just caught some breaks at the right time. That doesn’t usually happen two years in a row. The offense is not a 30 ppg unit and if the DL doesn’t shape up then I could see them allowing at least 28 ppg this year. The Coastal Division is also much stronger this year and Duke won’t sneak up on anyone this time around. They should make another bowl game this year, but that’s about it. KEY TREND: 2-10 ATS as road dogs of 4 or more after scoring 35 or more points.

Phil Steele Joins Pregame.comSteve Fezzik and Brady Kannon take a look at Pregame.com's recent signing of College Football expert Phil Steele. There is a free pick from Steve Fezzik at the end of the Video.